Marcus Bignot insists he is the man to lead Chester FC next season even if Blues suffer relegation

Marcus Bignot insists he is the man to lead Chester FC next season even if Blues suffer relegation

Marcus Bignot insists he 'would love' to stay on as Chester manager beyond the end of the current season, regardless of what division the Blues wind up.

Bignot's side lie six points adrift of National League safety ahead of their clash at Dagenham and Redbridge, with the former Solihull boss having to contend with Chester's dire financial circumstances, which has seen a host of senior players leave the club in recent weeks, in what the 43-year-old describes as 'the job from hell'.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Bignot remains determined to lead the club forward next season where they are relegated or not, and hopes the club's board share the same vision.

“I was in a job, I was happy where I was, I had the balance of the security and getting out on the grass and doing what I love,” said Bingot, who will still be without Jordan Gough, James Jones and Paul Turbull ahead of Saturday's trip Victoria Road.

“I was only going to move for a career move, enable me to have the time to build a football club, take our time and leave a legacy because I enjoy every aspect of a football club.

“It was a career move but clearly it hasn’t been, it’s become the job from hell. Yes, people tell you to resign because you don’t want this on your CV. Well I tell you what, people will probably respect me more for everything I’m facing that I’m still here, despite having everything taken away from me, we’re still being positive, and I still believe in this group.

“I believe we can recruit young and we’re making players better. I’m up for it, I’m absolutely up for this challenge. I know where this club can go and I’d love to be at the helm to do that, and I want to achieve that. Can it turn into a career move? Yes it can.”

Bignot has received 'pity' from opposition managers in recent weeks but believes Chester's current plight will only make him stronger in his managerial career.

“There’s an understanding which has needed to be created. This experience, I talked back to other managers and they pity me. But I actually embrace it and say this is only going to make me a better manager,” he continued.

“Please God we don’t, but if we were to go down then people would probably say I’m at the best stage of my career in terms of management, man-management, coaching.

“People in football now understand what we’re going through and the job we’re doing. Of course, people will still judge you on results, you get negatives, but we’re not dealing with a level-playing field.

“I’ve intimated where this club is going in terms of the reality. That’s all I wanted, it was me being tight-lipped there for a while because I knew what was going on in the background but I’m glad it’s all out now and it’s transcended onto the terraces.

“Maybe it’s my downfall that I am too honest, but believe me, if we were all more honest I don’t think we’d be in this situation.”

Bignot feels the 'resentment' shown by the supporters towards his players and the club in general has now subsided as a result of the news regarding Chester's dire financial situation and says there has been a tangible change in atmosphere at the Deva for their two recent home clashes, beating Eastleigh 3-1 before Tuesday's 1-0 defeat against Leyton Orient.

“I’ve spoken before about there being a hangover from previous seasons,” he added.

“I’ve certainly felt that from within the squad and from the terraces, so to speak.

“What has happened now is the environment has changed. With the news coming out, there is a realism and an understanding now towards the football club.

“For me there wasn’t a togetherness here but there is now, I’ve felt it in the past two games. It’s everybody understanding the situation we’re in.

“There was resentment, whether that was towards players or the club, but we’ve had to manage the consequences of decisions that have been which were totally out of our control. But everyone now sees it’s been blown open and an appreciation of what we’re trying to do.”

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